If You Must Know (Potomac Point #1)(29)

I cleared my throat. “Not at all. But I should mention that this might be unnecessary. I spoke with Lyle less than an hour ago. He’s still in Florida meeting with potential investors, but he promised to send me the deed to the land he bought.”

“And you believe him.” That statement held no judgment. In fact, it was almost a question, like he was nudging me to continue with the inquiry just in case.

I glanced at my feet, wanting to defend Lyle yet unable to give Stan an unequivocal answer. After all, I’d been so aggrieved by the state of our marriage I hadn’t thought to ask specific questions about the project—like an address. “Let’s proceed with the understanding that if the deed comes in and checks out, we’ll call this off and I’ll work out my marriage—or divorce—with lawyers.”

“Understood.”

“Should I log you on to the computer?”

“In a moment. First, I’d like to ask you some questions about your husband’s affairs—business affairs, that is.” He grimaced. “Sorry.”

“It’s fine.” Inside I died another tiny death. That humiliation would continue times one hundred once others in town learned the truth. Questions. Whispers. Plenty of phony comfort. That I’d been so openly proud to be his wife made it all worse.

Rumors chum the waters, like with the Millers, or when Laura Blair’s husband slept with their nanny. People always questioned how the spouses couldn’t tell what was happening. Even I’d wondered that about Laura, but now I knew. When you love and trust someone, you don’t think to be suspicious. You don’t look for clues or betrayals. You simply live and love with no more thought than it takes to breathe.

Stan took a seat and removed a legal-size yellow notepad from his case. Something about that old-school manner inexplicably calmed me. I trusted him, and not only because my brother had referred the ex-cop to me. “Kevin sketched out some basic details to make it easier on you. But I’d like to quickly review the facts to confirm that I’ve got accurate information.”

“Certainly.” I stroked my stomach absently.

Stan proceeded to recite Lyle’s full name, birth date, birthplace, and other such information, including his work history—or at least that from the past few years. I added Lyle’s social security number, Tom’s contact information, and what little I could recall about the condominium-development deal. When we finished with that, Stan asked me to log on to the computer.

“You’re welcome to stay here while I search through the files.” He glanced up at me.

I stared at the screen, trying to anticipate what embarrassing things he might uncover. “What are you looking for?”

“I’ll start with the search history. You’d be surprised how many folks don’t think to clear it regularly. It could offer important clues about what he’s been planning. And if he automatically saved passwords, that’ll make it easier to get into other sites.”

“Oh.” I nodded dumbly, although my head was already swimming. “I’m sorry. I should’ve thought to do those searches.”

He patted my hand. “It’s hard to think clearly when your emotions are running high.”

“Thank you.” His kindness meant everything because I’d beaten myself up every waking moment since Tom’s girlfriend, Gigi, had hung up on me. “I’d rather not stand over your shoulder unless you need me here. If you have questions, give me a holler, but I’ll be better off doing something else. Otherwise, my stomach will churn.”

He looked at my belly. “Let’s not add to your stress. I’ll dig around and call you if I have questions.”

“Perfect.” I stood and uttered, “Good luck,” although it seemed a weird thing to say under the circumstances.

He winked. “No luck needed. I promise, I’ll find the truth.”

I offered a weak smile, picturing Lyle’s face. Those spellbinding blue eyes. The little cleft in his chin, and his long, lean frame. The way he’d share the morning’s most interesting news stories over coffee and then kiss me on his way off to work. If he walked through the door, I’d be as likely to fling myself into his arms as I would to throw a vase at his head. I’d never known I was the kind of woman who might forgive this kind of betrayal, but I’d also never been put to the test.

As hurt as I was, a part of me still wanted to forgive him.

The part of me that Lyle had made feel fully understood and appreciated from our first moment in the gym, that had quit my elementary school job to take the nursery school position so I’d have more time for him and our baby, that had happily worked hard to make our home and relationship a refuge from the stress and disappointments of the world.

The part that had trusted in my happily ever after.

On my way upstairs, the house phone rang. When I got to my room, I saw Aunt Dodo’s number. She shared Michelle Callow’s tendency to lecture, but deep down I believed she meant well. She probably would’ve been less involved in “fixing” the rest of our lives if she’d been able to have children of her own.

Closing my eyes, I sat on the bed, hoping to manage this conversation without disclosing anything my mother wished to hide. “Hi, Aunt Dodo.”

“Oh good. You’re home.”

“Yes. Is everything all right?”